I had all the classic symptoms of a stroke.

- left arm went numb and very weak. Lost all control of my fingers (could not pick up a 3 ounce cup)
- it was very hard to talk - I had to force air out with the words - speech was slurred.
- my smile was uneven - my left side would hardly upturn.
- I would often choke when I swallowed - things were going down the wrong "tube" and into my lungs.
- the MRI showed brain damage - I personally am not convinced that that damage was not from 1998 back when I actually died one time.

No - no specialist - just about 5 different Drs. at the hospital.

I had a lot of test - all was ok (including the MRI version of my neck) but that damage on the MRI did show up. Nothing in the Cat Scan etc.

Within 15 minutes 90% of the numbness and weakness was gone. Things keep getting better and at about 9 hours in the rest of the weakness was gone.

They were calling it a TIA then the damage (showing up on the MRI) made them start calling it a stroke ......... THEN since I recovered they changed it back to a TIA.